Dear Readers: Here is this week’s SOUND OFF, on the lack of step stools in public restrooms:

“I know sometimes people write to you to air their grievances. My gripe is about public restrooms — specifically the lack of step stools. My children are 5 and 7, and since they’ve been old enough to have a need to stand at a sink and wash their hands, I’ve faced this problem. I’m talking about places where children are ‘welcomed’ or at the very least expected: family chain restaurants, kid-specific arcade-style restaurants, ballparks and amusement parks, just to name a few. Love reading your column every day in The (Newark, N.J.) Star-Ledger! -- Shawn in New Jersey”

Shawn, this is a complaint I hear all the time. It may be a safety concern from the point of view of the business. -- Heloise

SEND A GREAT HINT TO:

Heloise

P.O. Box 795000

San Antonio, TX 78279-5000

Fax: 1-210-HELOISE

E-mail: Heloise@Heloise.com

FAST FACTS

Dear Readers: Other uses for empty tissue boxes:

* Store plastic grocery bags in one.

* Use as a trash can in the car.

* Put one in the laundry room for collecting dryer lint.

* Use for scraps of fabric, thread, etc.

* Put one in the bathroom to hold cotton balls, etc.

-- Heloise

DRYER DUST

Dear Heloise: How can you clean behind and under the washer and dryer without pulling loose all the connections? -- H.V., via e-mail

Try using the crevice attachment on your vacuum. It is long, skinny and flat, so it should fit behind and possibly under the washer and dryer. If not, use a long duster to reach under and get the dust and lint. Then vacuum or sweep it up. It’s important to clean under and around the back at least once a year to prevent a fire hazard. -- Heloise

SALVAGE A SCORCH MARK

Dear Heloise: One of the things I’ve found that enables me to continue wearing clothes that have a scorch mark or a hole in them is to use a decorative iron-on decal to cover the mark or hole. In lieu of ironing it on, you could sew it on. They come in many sizes/designs. You can cover a hole/ scorch mark or a bleach stain made when accidentally splashing a cleaning product. This can extend the life of the garment. -- Judith, via e-mail

SIMPLE SNACK PLATES

Dear Heloise: With summer approaching, I plan for the hordes of kids who visit to use our pool. One thing that has saved many a crisis is using plastic container lids for sandwich and snack plates outside. I hoard them year-round. They’re on large margarine tubs and many other foods. I clean them on the top rack of my dishwasher, and store in a drawer near my “snack cupboard.” They are safe to use around the pool, are unbreakable, cost nothing and are disposable. They also are lightweight, so little hands can manage them. They are perfect for a sandwich or a snack. I also use them for small cutting boards when a large one isn’t needed. -- Laura A., Albany, N.Y.

Send a hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Tex. 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com. Please include your city and state.

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